Manly commuters in ferry wars

MANLY'S fast ferry services may be among Sydney's more unique assets, but that has not prevented the Keneally government from encouraging a grubby little sea battle between two swashbuckling operators over who rules the run to Circular Quay.

Manly Fast Ferry and Sydney Fast Ferries are vying to be the last fast ferry afloat.

Bemused landlubbers at Manly Wharf and Circular Quay have watched as the companies pinched passengers, bent Sydney Harbour rules about touting and departure times, and complained to authorities.

Ferry land ... a Sydney Ferries vessel is in the background as the Manly Fast Ferry (centre) and Sydney Fast Ferries services head off from Manly Wharf yesterday. Photo: James Brickwood

It's great sport, in keeping with Sydney Harbour's colourfully cut-throat maritime traditions. But the rivalry also raises concerns about safety. A skipper aboard one of Manly Fast Ferry's vessels on Tuesday evening announced over the loudspeaker that the rival Sydney Fast Ferries had left two minutes ahead of schedule, which had the effect of disrupting things once the craft arrived at Manly.

Sydney Fast Ferries pirated the business from Manly Fast Ferry from April 1, winning a five-year government contract to load passengers from the other side of the well-sheltered, passenger-friendly Manly Wharf where the government-owned slow boats to Manly also berth.

Manly Fast Ferry lined up a deal with the Manly Wharf company and is loading passengers on an uncovered finger wharf that doubles as a beer pier for the Manly Wharf Hotel.

But passengers voted with their feet yesterday. Nearly 95 per cent of the commuter crowd sailed with Manly Fast Ferry.

Some told the Herald they remained outraged that the government had scrapped government fast ferry services. Passengers claimed the government had sheltered behind reasons they were too expensive and unreliable, but most felt it was because Labor thought passengers tended to be business types who voted Liberal.

Manly Fast Ferry's owner, Richard Ford, said his company had come to people's aid when the Rees government scrapped JetCat services in November 2008. ''Manly knows we stood up for them and now they're standing up for us,'' he said.

However, Kym Lennox, business development manager of Sydney Fast Ferries, said his company was in for the long haul. ''We've shaped our business model around providing a reliable and safe service. Just wait until winter comes. Then we'll see how many people want to walk out on a slippery pier in the rain and the wind to get on board a ferry.'' Sydney Fast Ferries is jointly owned by Goat Island shipwright John McPherson and Sun Ferries of Townsville.

The government let the five-year contract with little infrastructure in place.

Both fast ferry companies are touting fares at makeshift booths. Sydney Ferries, meanwhile, is refusing to sell tickets for the privateers, probably hoping they will both go down together. Old timers on Manly Wharf reckon one will eventually sink the other.